This essay focuses on upgrading a historic house's lighting system by researching and locating light bulbs that are energy efficient and can reduce long-term damage to the building and its historic collections. First, it will discuss recent energy legislation. Then, the damage light can cause within the historic structure will be explored. Next, terminology and scientific equipment that is used to measure light will be covered. Following that, a number of environmentally-friendly light sources will be compared, noting advantages and disadvantages of each type. For historic homes that are open to the public, “comfortable” light levels for different age groups will be investigated while also examining possibilities for raising light levels and still maintaining the proper historic atmosphere. Finally, a case study will discuss how Edsel and Eleanor Ford House (Grosse Pointe Shores, Ml) utilized recommended methods of testing existing and potential new light sources.
Color Kinetics Incorporated.“Do Your Fixtures and Lamps Emit UV or IR Radiation?”Ultraviolet and Infrared Emissions. Copyright 2012. Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. See http://www.colorkinetics.com/support/whitepapers/UVandIR.pdf
MillerMatthew S.Protecting Museum Exhibits from Their Environments (and Vice Versa).Seaford: NoUVIR Research Institute, Copyright 2002.
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MillerRuth EllenTelephone interview. 31 Oct. 2011. NoUVIR Research Institute. Museum Lighting Systems—Presentation, Preservation, Conservation. Seaford: NoUVIR Research Institute, Copyright 2001, 2004.
